Abstract: An articulate vehicle has first and second frames, which are coupled to each other at proximal ends thereof with respect to the vehicle through a coupling part so as to be relatively rotatable around a vertical axis according to steering operation. The first and second frames are distributed at front and rear portions of the vehicle. The first frame supports a first transaxle apparatus having first axles, and the second frame supports a second transaxle apparatus having a pair of second axles. A gearbox is disposed near the coupling part and provided with a pair of mutually drivingly connected horizontal shafts which are variable in relative angles thereof around the vertical axis according to steering operation. One of the horizontal shafts is drivingly connected to a power take-off shaft for extracting output power of a speed-changing arrangement in the first transaxle apparatus. The other of the horizontal shafts is drivingly connected to an input shaft of the second transaxle apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheelchair for transporting a patient. The wheelchair comprises a support frame having a front, a rear, and opposing sides with the front and rear facing in respective forward and aft directions and the opposing sides facing in opposing lateral directions. The wheelchair further comprises at least two main wheels mounted on the support frame and a seat base disposed upon the support frame between the main wheels. The seat base is configured for selectively raising and lowering the patient between a first level and a second level with the aid of at least one security beam disposed adjacent one of the main wheels. The security beam may have a substantially vertical orientation and may be configured as a hand hold for steadying the patient when transferring onto and off of the seat base.

Abstract: A tow hook hitch assembly attaches to one or both of the front tow hooks provided on a four wheel drive vehicle for mounting a tow ball, winch, or other accessory to the front end of the vehicle. The tow hook hitch includes an upper member extending above the tow hook, a lower member extending below the tow hook, a shaped insert secured to the upper member or lower member for extending within the tow hook, and a clamp bolt for securing the aforementioned components together.

Abstract: An adjustable trailer hitch assembly which provides rapid and easy coupling by moving the ball to the tongue, rather than by moving the tongue to the ball. Adjustment is provided in each of three axes. Simultaneous movement in the lateral and vertical directions is provided, which after ball coupling, may be moved to a central locked and fixed position for towing. One embodiment provides selectable locked and fixed vertical positions.

Abstract: A device for providing adjustable, deployable, controlled flex and lateral suspension movement to a motorcycle chassis. This is accomplished by a swingarm pivot mechanism, that when operated, variably allows the swingarm member to move laterally, controlled by flexure members, and constrained within selected limits. The mechanism is controlled by a logic unit acting on inputs such as lean angle, road speed, transmission gear position, engine speed, throttle position, brake application, suspension position, and a rider override switch. In another embodiment, the mechanism is used without an actuator, and is manually adjusted for flex and performance per conditions and rider preference.

Abstract: Motorcycle of the type comprising a frame, a seat for the rider, a seat for the passenger, a handgrip for the passenger, a fuel tank, an opening in said tank, a orifice flange situated in said opening, a cap for closing the tank situated inside said flange and a handgrip for the passenger associated with the orifice flange.

Abstract: An integral power steering apparatus includes a stroke limiter. A piston defines two hydraulic chambers in a housing. A communicating passage, a first valve disposed between the first hydraulic chamber and the communicating passage, and a second valve disposed between the second hydraulic chamber and the communicating passage, are provided to serve for a stroke limiter, in addition to a hydraulic circuit for supplying hydraulic fluid to the two hydraulic chambers. The two valves each include a valve body having a bore and serving as a valve seat, a plunger slidably fitted within the bore of the valve body and serving as a valving element, and a spring disposed on the bottom of the bore of the valve body and biasing the plunger to be in contact with the valve body.

Abstract: An electric power steering device in which a motor shaft and a rack bar form a diagonal intersection. The power transmission includes: a drive gear rotating in tandem with the motor shaft and forming a bevel gear with linearly extending teeth; a ball screw mechanism disposed co-axial with the rack bar and converting a rotational motion to a linear motion; and a driven gear rotating in tandem with a nut of the ball screw mechanism, meshing with and moving in tandem with the drive gear, and forming a bevel gear with linearly extending teeth. The drive gear and/or the driven gear can be adjusted so that backlash between the two elements can be adjusted in a continuous, non-stepped manner.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment system provides a system that can be utilized with different trailers without requiring modification of the trailers or requiring minor modifications that require less than a minute or so to effect. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides two acoustic transceivers for directing acoustic signals towards and receiving reflected acoustic signals from a downwardly extending hitch assembly for a gooseneck trailer whereby this unique feature of the gooseneck trailer is utilized as a signal reflector. A timer is utilized to time the transmitted/reflected signals to determine at least two distances for determining a relative position of the downwardly extending hitch. A readout gives the driver ongoing feedback for aligning the gooseneck downwardly extending hitch with the hitch ball.

Abstract: An electric power steering device capable of attaining the expected control and control characteristics while using a phase compensator, includes a target current setting unit including a compensation unit having an inertia compensating unit for outputting an inertial compensating current value and a damper control unit for outputting a damper control current value, a compensation unit for outputting a compensation current value, a basic assist current setting unit for outputting a basic assist current value, and a phase compensating unit connected with the downstream stage of the basic assist current setting unit for outputting a target current value by performing a phase compensation of an added current value while receiving no influence from the dead zone or the characteristic break points of an assist table for setting the basic assist current value.

Abstract: An offset coupler device for coupling a gooseneck trailer with a gooseneck hitch ball is provided. The coupler has a first member spaced apart from a second member by an offset plate. A ball coupler is provided at a lower end of the second member. In use, the first member is partially received in a trailer coupler tube of the trailer and a gooseneck hitch ball is partially received in the ball coupler. The offset coupler effectively increases the relative distance between the gooseneck trailer and the tow vehicle during use.

Abstract: Supplemental walk along control for walkie/rider pallet trucks is provided by supplemental controllers such as jog and coast release switches and/or twist grips (or other drive motor speed controllers) provided adjacent the base of load carrying forks. The supplemental controllers are enabled during coasting operation so that operators can advance to the base of the forks to accelerate the trucks between closely spaced picks located along substantially straight portions of pick routes. For application of the trucks' brakes, the operators activate the coast release switches to release the coast mode and enable deadman brake mechanisms to brake the trucks and/or by plug braking with the twist grips. A steering direction detector is provided to determine the direction of the steered wheel so that if the steered wheel is not directed substantially straight ahead, then operation of the truck from the supplemental controls is disabled.

Abstract: A motor drive for a bicycle is provided. The motor drive includes a drive wheel and a motor device driving the drive wheel. The drive wheel contacts the ground and moves the bicycle by rotating friction between the drive wheel and the ground. The motor device includes a fixing portion that attaches the motor device to the frame of the bicycle, and a driving portion that holds the drive wheel and drives the drive wheel. The driving portion is pivotable with respect to the fixing portion between a parking state and a driving state. The drive wheel is spaced from the ground in the parking state, and contacts the ground in the driving state.

Abstract: A motorized cycle having a frame/chassis supporting a seat and handle grips, on one hand, and front and rear wheels, on the other hand, via a single, vertically-extending frame portion extending therebetween. Such frame/chassis defines voids in the front and rear of the motorized cycle and is further preferably configured such that the height of the seat and handle grips can be selectively adjusted. The motorized cycle otherwise utilizes conventional motorcycle/scooter parts and accessories. The motorized cycle may be adapted for on roan or off-road use, as may be desired.

Abstract: A fifth wheel trailer pin assembly characterized by having a horizontally pivoting joint to reduce the transmission of lateral flex and stress between the units coupled by the hitching assembly. The trailer pin assembly is designed to be used with conventional fifth wheel locking assemblies, which are designed to allow for horizontal rotation of the trailer pin within the locking assembly and far longitudinal pivoting between the units coupled by the hitching assembly, to provide a fifth wheel hitching system which minimizes the transmission of unwanted forces and stresses between the units that are coupled together.

Abstract: A folding bicycle, wherein a head pipe is pivotally supported on the front end of a main frame so as to freely rotate, a handle shaft for rotatably supporting a front wheel is supported while being inserted into the head pipe, a rear wheel is rotatably supported on the rear end of the main frame, a saddle post having a saddle on the top end is pivotally supported on the rear side of a pivotal-support portion of the head pipe, a stay having the top end detachably fixed on the saddle post is pivotally supported on the front side of the rear wheel of the main frame, a crank gear is rotatably supported between a pivotal-support portion of the saddle post and a pivotal-support portion of the stay, a chain is looped over the crank gear and a small gear provided on the rear wheel, and the stay, the saddle post and the handle shaft can be folded so as to be overlaid one another along the main frame.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly includes a bumper fascia for attachment to a motor vehicle having an aperture for allowing a hitch tube to extend therethrough. The trailer hitch cover assembly also includes a main body adapted to be disposed over the hitch tube and adapted to allow insertion of a hitch into the hitch tube. The trailer hitch cover assembly further includes a cover plate hingedly connected to either one of the main body and the bumper fascia for moving between a closed position to close the aperture to conceal the hitch tube and an open position to open the aperture to expose the hitch tube.

Abstract: A tricycle includes a mainframe with front and rear sections. The front section may include a steering assembly with a rotatable wheel. The rear section may provide support for two spaced wheels and may be configured to provide a substantially unencumbered open area between the spaced wheels. The tricycle features a guide handle removeably connected to the tricycle and having a pair of footrests integrally connected to the guide handle adjacent a lower end.

Abstract: A personal watercraft stand and tote device comprising a frame member, a control assembly associated with the frame member, a powertrain assembly associated with the frame member and the control assembly, a handle assembly associated with the frame member, and, a loading assembly associated with the frame member. The control assembly includes a motor and an control unit positioned within a housing. The device is capable of powered operation in a fully submerged condition, such as, for example five feet below the water.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the physical characteristics of a localized area of a suspension component by adding material to the points of high stress without a significant increase in weight or diameter of the suspension component. The material is in the form of a sleeve added to the exterior surface of the suspension component, a core added to the interior surface of a tubular suspension component, winding filaments, or powered material.